Press Release: “THANK YOU MAUN” - MPAMBO THE EP 2022 ALBUM LISTENING SESSION A GREAT SUCCESS
On Saturday 24 September, Mambo Ntema launched his second studio album in Maun. According to Peace Wamukota, the event manager, “AFRICANITES is a local brand that seeks to profile and elevate Maun talent towards artistic excellence and creative arts sustainability. As is our mandate, our first assignment was the listening session and we have learnt a lot from this experience. I would like to thank everyone who has had an effort towards making Mambo Ntema MPAMBO THE EP 2022 ALBUM LISTENING SESSION hosted this past weekend a great success.
The event was an excitingly interactive showcase of Maun talent. The response was great and I am grateful to the team, artists and everyone behind our cause. The album is currently available for sale on soft copy and will be distributed in different online music portals very soon.” The organizing team comprised of Peace Wamukota (AFRICANITES), Mambo Ntema (AFRICANITES), Murray Stephenson and Rowen (Okavango Craft Brewery) and Mary-Lynn Kleynhans (MKX). The team would like to appreciate: - OKAVANGO CRAFT BREWERY staff and management for incredibly hosting the session. - ROCKPLANET ENTERTAINMENT for the massive sound and DJ services. - HALETHABA ARTSPACE through Prince Moyo for the artistic expressions on the MPAMBO customized hand painted t-shirts. - Dr. SETLHARE LUCAS MOTSAMAI and family for the endless support and effort in all our artistic endeavors. - SELECTAH DIMO for the courage and input to the session outline. - MKX through the energetic Mary-Lynn Kleynhans for liaison, marketing and networking. - HASH TAG VISUALS through the creative Mogomotsi “Tay Boz” Moshongo for graphic design services on a glossy flyer/poster for the session. - HASH TAG MUSIC through the creative Mogomotsi “Tay Boz” Moshongo for graphic design and sound engineering services for the album artwork, recording, mastering and production of MPAMBO THE EP. - FARMBOYZ INTERNATIONALE through Thokgamo “Tribal Tiido” Ramahlele for sound engineering services on track 5 from MPAMBO THE EP. - STRANGER family for the massive turn up and timeless support. - The media for coverage post the event.
MPAMBO THE EP 2022 has 6 Afrobeat songs and is Mambo Ntema’s second studio album. The first solo project was STRANGER with 22 songs, which was released in 2021 and received a BOMU Music Award for Best Reggae Ragga Dancehall album. The listening session featured an exciting line up of performers and freestylists from Maun. Ms. GEE BW with the band presented a melodious and captivating performance with the crowd wanting more of her folk song “pula” (rain). The youthful MvB Beatz x ROYALLE collaboration showcased soothing and serenading sounds of the golden vocals and beat to “the feels”. The lyricists, KILLAH MAC x MACC with a massive collaborative musical showcase which rendered a very classic combination of rapping and singing. The winner of the 267 Rep Your Hood Rap Battle on Yarona FM, PAYN mesmerized the audience with his latest Rap song “adrenaline”. METAPHYSICS kept the crowd wanting through his “Kgalagari Rap” versatile skills and flow. A Dancehall patriot, ANCIENT KUSHITE, in military combat performed an elevated free style and energetic lyrical showcase in an original Dancehall style. The duo, 7 & 84 came with their diverse lyrical flow of storytelling. 84 joined the juggling team on stage with his versatile rap style. BIGGSKULL was exceptional with a Setswana wordplay and heavy lyrical prowess, paying tribute to “Thamalakane River” and social life. TEE FAYA came with a rocket freestyle punch lines and electrifying performance to the delight of the lively crowd. FATOS BW came with some heavy Thimbukushu imagery and wordplay, and kept the crowd wanting more. VEE ALI MAJURU with some ZimDancehall Shona vibes and freestyle eloquence. JAHVAMANN on a Shiyeyi lyrical elevation, with a calm but aggressive lyrical approach. PEACH as a surprise to the audience and he did well. The MC CASSIE PAUL did exceptionally well, alongside the energetic Mambo Ntema, to the ululation of the crowd. The AUDIENCE was great, cheerful and energetically alive to the session. The venue was fully packed with multi-cultural locals and international tourists.
We thank all those who are supporting our struggle to contribute to the growth of creative arts in Maun. For her part, Mary-Lynn Kleynhans, who is the marketing strategist and networker indicated that “through concerted efforts and team work, the listening session was a successful event and I watched the live feed in Gaborone and repeatedly on my way to South Africa. The depth of talent in this region is amazing. The people are supportive and we hope to do more and better. We have a great team of active personnel that seeks to pursue an artistic development effort from a social enterprise perspective. We need to start small and elevate with time. Thanks to Okavango Craft Brewery for allowing us to add value to the entertainment experience. The tourist needs to feel the local beer, local atmosphere, local music and people interaction after an adventurous wildlife safari. Mambo is a great artist, who has a heart for upcoming youthful generation of aspiring musicians. He has done it before, he is doing it now, he will continue to do it.” However, Coster FX had an emergency and TECSION BW was not well. Sadly, KoolKat Motyiko and Rita Christopher had a breakdown from Kasane and couldn’t make it to the session but together in spirit.
According to Mambo Ntema, “music is a mission and I have been an artist from a tender age. I was in the Traditional Dance club and school choirs whilst at Mathiba Primary School in the 90s. When I was at Sedie Junior School, I got interested in marimba and I met Mr Tina K. Sondano who also horned my creativity in Dancehall music. I was also an Art student and when I reached Maun Secondary School, we revived the school band; the Barking Gecko. The band was managed by the late Anthony John Berry and released a 10 track album entitled AFRICAN CHILD in 2004. I was with Dikoranta Livingstone Kegapetswe on the vocals and keyboard, and OT Keemekae on the keyboards. The album was recorded at Njolo Productions and Tuff Enuff Entertainment. I also met Rodney Mafunga (Bajah Ranks) and we formed a Dancehall duo BAJAH-EKZYL which released a 14 track album entitled WANTED in 2008. In 2009, I embarked on a solo career as a full time Creative Artist and so far I have performed in Germany at the Markt der Voelker event at Voelkerkunde Museum in Hamburg, Maun International Arts Festival, The Dancehall Hype in Jwaneng and corporate sessions. I have published one poetry book “SOUL SEEDS” and have a Folk-Jazz acoustic and live band where I am the native drummer and lead vocalist. I am a Social Entrepreneur…”
The first album STRANGER is available online on Amazon, Spotify, Applemusic. Mambo Ntema also indicated that “we have a lifestyle and cultural tourism event ONE RIVER ONE PEOPLE which we have been hosting in Kasane since 2013. The event has recently won the Best Cultural Activity Promoting Tourism at the Botswana Travel and Tourism Awards 2022.” Mambo Ntema is also a recognized Cultural Heritage practitioner, having participated in the World Heritage Leadership Programme of the Heritage Place Lab (UNESCO, ICCROM, IUCN, University of Botswana).
